Columbia Carjacking Lawyer

Being arrested for a carjacking offense can be an overwhelming experience. You may not know what to expect following your arrest which is why it is important to get in touch with a Columbia carjacking lawyer, as soon as possible. It is important to work with an experienced and knowledgeable attorney who has defended this type of case before. Speak with a skilled lawyer that could fight tirelessly in your defense.

What to Expect From Your Initial Consultation

Before an initial consultation, an individual should gather any paperwork or evidence that they may have. They should expect that their carjacking lawyer in Columbia is going to want to know every bit of information related to their case including, the who, what, when, where, how and why of it all. That way, a lawyer could start to build the person’s defense. It is important to make sure that the lawyer knows everything about the case so they can provide a true and accurate assessment for the lawyer to determine how they should proceed.

Preparing a Carjacking Defense

A Columbia carjacking attorney could prepare the case by getting all of the evidence, being very detail-oriented in reviewing the case, conducting their own independent investigation, and leaving no stone unturned. A lawyer should review all available evidence and look for constitutional violations and available legal defenses when building a defense. Hiring a private investigator can be helpful as well.

Reduced Sentencing and Probation Options

Depending on whether a person has a prior criminal record and whether to look over and review the strengths and weaknesses of the state’s case, a lawyer is absolutely critical in building that mitigating evidence to present during the sentencing period to show the judge that a probationary sentence is appropriate, that prison time is not justice in the case, that the person deserves a second chance to receive a probationary sentence, to be under supervision versus being sent to prison, that a reduced offense is where the lawyer has looked at the strengths and weaknesses of the case and is showing some of their cards to the prosecutor. The Columbia attorney might do so to convince the prosecutor to reduce the carjacking charge down to something that is not a felony, and a charge that is more appropriate, that the defendant can agree to.

Hire a Carjacking Attorney in Columbia

The most important reason to hire a Columbia carjacking lawyer is that the person could be facing prison time if they were found guilty and the second thing is because it is a felony. A person who is guilty of the felony of carjacking, who takes or attempts to take a motor vehicle from another person in South Carolina by force or violence or violent intimidation under SC Code, Section 16-3-1075 while the person is either operating a vehicle or while they are in a vehicle is guilty of a felony if they are convicted. They could be imprisoned up to 20 years if the person is not injured. However, if great bodily injury results and involves the person that was in the car, if the alleged victim is severely hurt and they receive what is considered under the law as great bodily injury, the person could be imprisoned and put in South Carolina’s Department of Corrections for up to 30 years.

A determined defense attorney could attempt to mitigate the severity of the penalties that an individual may face, and work towards a positive outcome for them. Call today to schedule your consultation.